College of DuPage Hosts 'Molecules, Mind States and Mystical Experiences -- College of DuPage Hosts 'Molecules, Mind States and Mystical Experiences --Insights from the Study of Psychedelics' on Nov. 16

College of DuPage will host the third in a series of free informational lectures on psychedelics. This one titled, "Molecules, Mind States and Mystical Experiences - Insights from the Study of Psychedelics," will be on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Mock Courtroom of the Homeland Security Education Center, HEC 1022, at the College's main campus in Glen Ellyn.

This free event will feature top minds in the burgeoning field of psychedelics and will cover the pharmacology of psychedelics, including their value as an enhanced mind body state and chemically induced mystical state. Recent clinical research on these substances show promise as therapeutic adjuncts to psychotherapy for the treatment of addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, cluster headaches and existential distress at the end of life.

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"The purpose of this conference is to provide accurate information about Psychedelics and how society can benefit from the current resurgence of psychedelic research." Sewick said. "A lot of the early research on the medicinal use of psychedelics was good, but this research was cut short due to fears it would encourage recreational use." Some drugs such as MDMA have been studied to treat PTSD. Psilocybin and LSD have also been researched to treat end-of-life anxiety and may show promise for treating alcoholism.

Nicholas V. Cozzi, Ph.D., is a scientist and educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. He holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and a B.S. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, both from the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy. His background and training is in pharmacology, chemistry, and neuroscience.

Dr. Cozzi's research involves the design, chemical synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of drugs with central nervous system activity. Compounds of special interest include those with psychedelic, antidepressant, or psychostimulant effects. He is interested in how these substances act in the brain to produce changes in mood, cognition, and other effects on consciousness including spiritual or mystical experiences.

As an educator, Dr. Cozzi teaches pharmacology at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and the UW School of Pharmacy and he is a frequent guest lecturer at other academic institutions. Dr. Cozzi has won several teaching and research awards. Outside the University, Dr. Cozzi consults for legal, pharmaceutical, and government clients.

Tom Roberts, Ph.D., is professor emeritus at Northern Illinois University, where he has taught the world's first course on psychedelics, "Foundations of Psychedelic Studies," since 1981. Dr. Roberts is a former visiting scientist at Johns Hopkins University. His publications include the 2-volume Psychedelic Medicine, Spiritual Growth with Entheogens, and Psychedelic Horizons. His new book this year is The Psychedelic Future of the Mind: How Entheogens are Enhancing Cognition, Boosting Intelligence, and Raising Values.

Bruce Sewick LCPC, RDDP, CADC is Clinical Supervisor Crisis/Case Management and Residential Services at Leyden Family Service in Franklin Park, and has been an adjunct faculty member at College of DuPage since 2003. He currently teaches a Human Services electives course at COD titled, "Psychedelic Mindview," which explores the role of psychedelic substances throughout history, including recent clinical research for their use as adjuncts to psychotherapy and the influence of psychedelics in art, creativity and the political-social context of the 1960s. The course will be offered online in March.

The Nov. 16 program at College of DuPage is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Bruce Sewick at sewick@cod.edu.